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AirTalk

AirTalk for May 27, 2009

Listen 1:45:00
Despite setback, California’s gay marriage movement trudges forward, state budget cuts to health care may be severe, and is the recession's end in sight; plus an interview with Matthew May.
Despite setback, California’s gay marriage movement trudges forward, state budget cuts to health care may be severe, and is the recession's end in sight; plus an interview with Matthew May.

Despite setback, California’s gay marriage movement trudges forward, state budget cuts to health care may be severe, and is the recession's end in sight; plus an interview with Matthew May.

The battle over gay marriage in California continues

Listen 34:31
The battle over gay marriage in California continues

The California Supreme Court Tuesday upheld 2008's Proposition 8 to ban gay marriage. Although the decision has been made, a renewed fight for and against gay marriage seems to have just begun. Two lawyers have already filed a lawsuit arguing that a California constitutional amendment eliminating the right of gay couples to marry violates the U.S. constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process. The lawyers hope the lawsuit will immediately reinstate marriage rights to same-sex couples. Larry will talk about the steps that lie ahead for the opponents and supporters of gay marriage.

Jenny Pizer, Senior Counsel, Lambda Legal Defense Fund

Andrew Pugno, Co-counsel to Kenneth Starr, who presented the arguments in the Proposition 8 case and general counsel for the Yes on 8 campaign

State budget cuts to health care will be severe

Listen 15:53
State budget cuts to health care will be severe

According the California Budget Project, 1.9 million Californians could lose health coverage in the next 3 years under the Governor's plan. Larry Mantle finds out more from Jean Ross of the CA Budget Project and Howard Kahn, CEO of the L.A. Care Health Plan.

Jean Ross, Executive Director of the CA Budget Project

Howard Kahn, CEO of the L.A. Care Health Plan

Economic update

Listen 32:59
Economic update

With an update on the economy- GM is closer to bankruptcy after failing to get enough support from bondholders in a debt exchange offer. Facing a deadline to restructure by June 1, bankruptcy is looking increasingly likely. In housing news, cheaper prices caused home sales to rise in April, though the excess of foreclosed properties is causing prices to drop further. Larry Mantle gets an overview of the latest economic news from Neil Irwin of The Washington Post and Andrew LePage of DataQuick Information Systems.

Neil Irwin, National Economy Correspondent, The Washington Post

Andrew LePage, analyst at DataQuick Information Systems

Chris Thornberg, principal at Beacon Economics

David Welch, Detroit Bureau Chief for Business Week magazine

In pursuit of elegance

Listen 52:49
In pursuit of elegance

In his new book "In Pursuit of Elegance", author Matthew May describes "elegant solutions" as those innovative ideas that achieve maximum impact with minimum input. Using examples in science, art, business and sports, May explains about how doing less is more- and can actually lead to savvy innovation. Matthew May joins Larry Mantle talk about why the best ideas are also the most elegant.

Matthew May, author speaker, adviser to corporations on ingenuity and innovation.